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Family and friends mourn death of Medicine Hat businessman linked to police shooting

An armed man was shot dead by Medicine Hat police on Saturday, March 22, 2014. Courtesy CHAT TV

CALGARY – The family and friends of a Medicine Hat businessman are expressing shock and disbelief over his murder, as new details on a recent police shooting begin to emerge.

Chester Hunchak, the owner of a car dealership in that city, was reported missing on Friday night.

The next day, his body was found south of the city by officers as they confronted a man in a dramatic police standoff.

Police have not officially named Hunchak as the victim, but his fiancée has confirmed his death with local media.

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Friends say the man was a bright part of the community.

“He’s just one of those boisterous men,” says friend Michelle Aspinall. “He was like a 70’s guy. You would never fail to see him in a fur jacket in the winter. He would stop in the street if he knew you. He would help you with everything he possibly could and he always had a smile. I’ve never seen that man angry.”

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Meanwhile, his business partner Jim Huculak is remembering him as quite a character.

“To me, he was like the Ralph Klein of Medicine Hat,” explains Huculak.

Hunchak reportedly went missing after taking a potential customer for a test drive.

Police were investigating his disappearance on a piece of rural property when one officer was confronted by a man with a gun.

The suspect was later seen removing a dead body from the back of the home, before getting into a vehicle and driving towards police.

The suspect was shot by an officer, killing him.

ASIRT is investigating the actions of the officer involved, while police investigate Hunchak’s death.

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